punch

A hit made with a closed hand.

• He threw a punch.
• One punch knocked the boxer down.
• She avoided a punch to the face.

How to use it: a punch in/on something (He received a punch in the stomach.)

Similar words: blow, hit

Common phrases: throw a punch, powerful punch, punch in something

A tool for making holes or marks in material, or pushing something out of a hole.

• Use a punch to make the holes.
• He tapped the punch with a hammer to remove the pin.
• This punch stamps a small star into the metal.

Common phrases: hole punch, centre punch, leather punch, paper punch

A drink made by mixing fruit juices with other drinks, sometimes including alcohol.

• Would you like some punch?
• They served fruit punch at the party.
• This punch contains orange juice and rum.

Common phrases: fruit punch, punch bowl, glass of punch

The power to have a strong effect on someone or something.

• The sauce has plenty of punch.
• Her final sentence gave the speech extra punch.
• The storm was losing its punch by morning.

How to use it: pack a punch (This short speech packs a punch.)

Similar words: impact, power, force, strength

Common phrases: pack a punch, extra punch, lose its punch

A hole made in material by a tool that cuts or pushes through it.

• The card has a round punch.
• Each punch in the ticket records a journey.
• The punches along the edge must line up.

How to use it: punch in something (There was a small punch in the corner of the card.)

Similar words: hole, perforation

Common phrases: round punch, punch in something, small punch

To hit someone or something with a closed hand.

• He punched the bag.
• She punched the attacker in the face.
• Did he really punch a hole in the wall?

How to use it: punch someone in/on something (He punched me in the stomach.)

Similar words: hit, strike

Common phrases: punch someone, punch a bag, punch the air, punch someone's arm

To make holes in material using a tool that cuts or pushes through it.

• Punch the paper here.
• The guard punched our tickets.
• She punched another hole in her leather belt.

How to use it: punch a hole in something (Punch a hole in each corner of the card.)

Similar words: perforate

Common phrases: punch a hole, punch a ticket, punch the paper